Kettering 0 Darlington 0

Attendance 1001

Quakers were held to a goalless draw at Latimer park, courtesy of a dogged defensive display.

There was never much chance of a fast flowing game on a bumpy surface, with neither team able to string a series of passes together, and the game became an aerial battle.

Quakers defended much better than Tuesday with skipper David Wheater and fellow centre half Jake Lawlor winning plenty in the air, while they could have nicked it at the other end with the chances they had.

Andrew Nelson was pleased with his first 90 minutes for 18 months, while new signing Jacob Blyth came on for his debut for the last 15 minutes.

But Quakers will be happy with a point after the upset at Farsley last Tuesday night, and they remain fifth in the table.

Here are Alun's thoughts on the game:

On a bumpy and bobbly pitch, Kettering showed their intentions straight away with a long throw by Rhys Sharpe from midway inside the Darlington half that David Wheater headed away.

Wheater then headed another long throw from similar distance away in the third minute.

Kettering keeper William Lakin then put a through ball from Rivers into touch just ahead of Hazel.

Quakers won a free kick on the left on 6 minutes, but Liddle’s setpiece was headed away.

Wheater was called upon again on 11 minutes to head away a right wing cross by Ellis Myles, and on the next occasion a ball came in from the right, George Forsyth headed well wide.

After Lawlor was booked for what the referee said was a foul on Sam Bennett 30 yards out, Kettering put the free kick into the wall.

Quakers nearly scored on 17 minutes, when Hazel turned quickly inside the box, and fired just wide of the right hand post.

Quakers had another opportunity a minute later when the ball came out to Felix on the right hand side, and his first time shot went into the side netting.

When two long throws came in from the Kettering right, Jake Lawlor headed both away.

After Liddle received treatment for a head injury, Nelson sent Felix away up the right, but his cross to the far post was held by the keeper.

Kettering had their first chance on on 30 minutes when Stohrer found Ward on the edge of the box, but Ward’s left foot shot went over the top.

Rivers made a good run into the box on the left, but his effort was blocked for a Quakers corner.

The ball was curled in for first Wheater and then Purver to have shots blocked before the Kettering defence got the ball away.

Quakers had a chance on on 37 minutes when Hazel got into the box and was challenged, and the ball ran for Brookwell who struck a low shot through a crowd of players, and Lakin saved at full stretch.

Half time 0-0

Jarrett Rivers picked up a knock on 47 minutes and was replaced by Declan Howe.

Brookwell chased a Kettering player into the box and made a good tackle that also won a goal kick with a rebound off the Kettering player.

Kettering had a good chance in the 52^nd minute when the Darlington defence hesitated allowing Ben sault to get through, but he pulled his shot wide of the far post.

Sukar made a good challenge inside the box on 54 minutes and then sent Howe away up the left, but his low cross was held by Lakin.

Brookwell won a corner on 56 minutes which Liddle curled to the far post, but Quakers were penalised for a foul on the keeper.

Forsyth moved up for Kettering and struck a 20 yard effort over the top.

Quakers nearly scored on 69 minutes. Hazel found Nelson just outside the area, and he stepped to his right and struck a right foot shot that deflected off a defender and looped just wide of the post.

There was another chance on 73 minutes when Felix broke down the right and pulled the ball back for Howe, who rounded a defender but fired straight at the keeper.

Quakers nearly scored again on 80 minutes when a deep free kick by Liddle was nodded across goal by Nelson for Hazel to head wide.

Kettering nearly snatched it when Sherriff dribbled into the box, wrongfooted the defence, and then fired into the side netting.

Kettering had a free kick in the 90^th minute that Forsyth headed over, and in stoppage time a throw in from the left led to a goalmouth scramble and Purver cleared off the line.

And another chance fell to Keaton Ward, who forced a good save out of Taylor.

Final score 0-0

Team: Taylor, Brookwell (sub Hedley 75), Lawlor, Wheater, Sukar, Liddle, Purver, Rivers (sub Howe 47), Felix, Nelson, Hazel (sub Blyth 83)

Subs: Rose, Newall

Booking: Lawlor (foul 15) Howe 90 

Kettering: Lakin, Myles, Gascoigne, Cooper, Sharpe, Forsyth, Hill, Stohrer, Bennett (sub Lewthwaite 70), Sault (Sherriff 65), Ward

Subs: Hogg, White, Bennett, Lewthwaite

Booking: Gascoigne (foul), Forsyth (foul),Sharpe (foul) Ward (timewasting)